SAA Cargo Media Office & News

South African Airways (SAA) Cargo has, for the fourth consecutive year, been named the Best African Cargo Airline 2011 at the Air Cargo News (ACN) Awards Ceremony held in London last month.

SAA Cargo is ranked with the best in the world and has, over the years, ensured that the needs of its valued customers are prioritised. “We are delighted and honoured that we have been voted the best in Africa by our customers for the fourth consecutive year,” said Tleli Makhetha, General Manager of SAA Cargo. “Our customers will continue to benefit from another year of excellence from the dedicated team at SAA Cargo,” said Makhetha.

The ACN Cargo Airline of the year awards, have been running for 26 years. The survey is run through the Air Cargo News website (http://www.aircargonews.net/cay.asp). Results generated are extracted from the readers of this magazine, specifically freight forwarders around the world. Votes were audited by an independent organisation and were overseen by the British Institute of Freight Forwarders. Freight forwarders voted for the airlines in various categories. SAA Cargo was the overall winner in the category of Best Cargo African Airline.

About SAA Cargo:

SAA Cargo’s core business is to provide reliable air transportation for time-sensitive freight. In addition to using the belly space of SAA’s passenger aircraft, SAA Cargo also has two Boeing 737-300Fs and two Boeing 737-200Fs providing a convenient service to the domestic and African markets. It leverages the passenger network, interlines, partnerships and its fleet of freighters in accessing key markets to provide its customers with wider reach and seamless connectivity worldwide.

SAA Cargo shipment types consist of general cargo, perishables, automotives, electronics, and mail from all over South Africa. In addition, SAA Cargo also provides air shipment services for livestock, human remains, dangerous goods and valuable cargo. SAA Cargo transports over 130 000 tons of freight annually and has established itself as one of the most profitable divisions of SAA. SAA Cargo has leveraged on advanced IT systems to ensure safe and efficient shipment of cargo. A new Internet-based i-Cargo system was introduced to further enhance operational efficiencies and service to its customers. Striving to consistently provide a premium service while giving our customers peace of mind and ensuring that our technological advancements deliver on their expectations.

South African Airways Cargo (SAAC) implemented a new generation integrated web based system which will bring it up to date with technological developments within the cargo environment. This new system is called i-Cargo.

Phase 1 of the implementation will be on ULD Handling, Mail and Revenue Accounting. Phase 2 of the implementation is planned for later in the year where more areas will be included and a complete data migration from the legacy system called SAFRON.

“As aviation has developed into an electronically advanced business and with the advancements towards a paperless environment we are proud to have this new system in place,” said Justice Luthuli, Acting Head of SAA Cargo.

The benefits of i-Cargo include the integrated web based application which provides for wider reach particularly to our African markets whereby our own legacy system had limitations; it is applicable to modern standards; it has a new Revenue Management functionality; it is e-Freight compliant which is IATA’s project intended to move air cargo to a paperless system; will enable SAAC to achieve its business objectives; saves cost on a Community Development level; and provide system support for Cargo 2000.

In an effort to improve operational efficiencies SAA Cargo has over the years implemented some of the most technologically advanced systems to ensure safe and efficient shipment of cargo. Luthuli said, “This shows our commitment to improve the quality of the service we render to our customers. We understand that the air cargo market is highly competitive and therefore delivering on customer needs is imperative”.

South African Airways Cargo (SAAC) has been named the Best African Cargo Airline at the Air Cargo News (ACN)Awards Ceremony held in London on 8 May 2010. This is the second in a year following a Certificate of Air Cargo Excellence (ACE) received from Air Cargo World (ACW) in Canada, 9 March 2010. The Best African Cargo Airline Award is the 3rd successive from Air Cargo News.

The Awards are based on customer satisfaction surveys and voting conducted by the CAN and ACW with the freight forwarders worldwide. SAA Cargo has proven to be world class as it gets rated among the best in the world and also being the most awarded airline in Africa. “We are elated and feel very proud that once again we have done it and our customers are happy with our service and that they know that we understand and meet their needs,” said Justice Luthuli, Acting Head of SAA Cargo.

SAA Cargo has established itself as one of the most profitable divisions of SAA. It leverages the passenger network, interlines, partnerships and its fleet of freighters in accessing key markets to provide its customers with wider reach and seamless connectivity worldwide. In addition, the Internet-based i-Cargo system was introduced to improve operational efficiencies. SAA Cargo has also over the years implemented advanced IT systems to ensure safe and efficient shipment of cargo. “We remain committed in being the best that we can be and to remain the leader in air cargo services between Africa and the world. We are grateful for the hard work put in by our international offices,” said Luthuli.